Beth Aarons
Group HR Manager
City Inn Contemporary Hotels
At the time of the Accelerated Talent Development Programme I was Human Resources Manager for The Savoy Hotel, I was attracted to the programme because I wanted to achieve personal development within my role. I found that personal growth required a change in approach to communications and management style.
The impact of the programme has been huge, it has been substantial in motivating me to progress my career within HR with a stronger operational involvement. It was key in developing my emphasis within the industry and the importance of visibility and credibility. The programme has allowed me to deal with some very complex business and commercial issues, including take-overs, bank presentations and board meetings, with confidence.
I have been in my new role as Group HR Manager for nine months and as a result of the programme I have introduced a HR strategy that has led to reduced turnover, better attraction of high calibre managers and an improved commercial impact of HR within the business.
City Inn is now more HR focused with reduced vacancies, high staff morale measured on a scale of 1 to 10 has achieved an average of 8 and we received the Corporate Investors in People award.
Howard Dix
Export Manager
Refresh UK
Prior to attending the Accelerated Talent Developemt Programme, although I felt my career had developed reasonably well I needed to understand my personal management style and how I could recognise the positive characteristics that would help me succeed and develop further. My work pattern was very much 'hands on' and operational. I wanted to move towards a more strategic management approach but was unsure of my strengths and required impartial, constructive advice and training.
The benefits gained from attending the programme have enabled me to develop a much more structured and strategic approach to managing my workload. The ATDP gave me a greater understanding of my working style, the ability to focus on my priorities and the motivation to carry out objectives developed in my personal development action plan.
I implemented 'pockets of good practice' between departments to improve supply chain and customer service levels, this involved closer working relationships between departments that would not normally communicate together other than in times of crisis. This improved cross department relationship and a more joined up approach to managing supply chain issues internally, has resulted in an improved supply chain structure for our customers and greater volume throughput. It's also something that I have carried forward into my new organisation and within both, has had a benefit both internally and with customers.
The programme was a major influence on my career at the time and still has a positive influence over the way I manage my work and myself.